Aging well: Making your home fall-proof
Introduction
Getting around your home safely can be a challenge if you have injuries or health problems that make it easy for you to fall. Many health problems can increase your risk of falling—poor eyesight, balance problems caused by disease like stroke or Parkinson’s disease, side effects of medicines, weakness or pain in the legs and feet, and confusion or dementia.
For people with these conditions, common things like loose rugs, poor lighting, and household clutter can become a big safety issue. But there are easy things you can do to make your home a lot safer.
Key points
- Some common hazards in the home might make you more likely to fall. But you can make your home safer with a few simple measures.
- Falls can lead to serious injuries. Hitting your head can cause a head injury. A fall can break a bone, resulting in surgery and months of therapy.
- Preventing falls can help you live a more independent life.
What hazards at home might make me more likely to fall?
Why is it important to make my home fall-proof?
How can I make my home fall–proof?
Where to go from here
Talk with your doctor
If you have questions about this information, take it with you when you visit your doctor. You may want to mark areas or make notes in the margins where you have questions.
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| Author: | Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH | Last Updated: July 9, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine Kenneth J. Koval, MD - Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Trauma | |
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